The Canterbury Crusaders have their sights set on securing a seventh straight Super Rugby title ahead of their clash against Waikato Chiefs in the final at the FMG Stadium on Saturday.

Robertson has led the Crusaders to a trophy each year since 2017 and will now step down as captain after the Rugby World Cup to take over the New Zealand national team.

FMG Stadium in Hamilton was completely sold out for the Chiefs’ championship game because of the appearance of so many All Blacks.

Robertson is prepared for a hostile reception from the home fans: “It’s going to be hostile, it’s going to be passionate,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“You know you are walking into a pressure environment. Crusaders love these moments.”

If the Crusaders win, it will give them seven straight championships, including the two they won in 2020 and 2021 in New Zealand, when the country’s borders were closed because of Covid-19.

“To have the ability to go seven in a row means a lot to this group,” added Robertson.

He anticipates a tough final against the Chiefs, who finished the regular season top of the table before the play-offs. “They have set the benchmark. It’s going to be a great occasion.”

The New Zealand Crusaders have named a potent starting lineup after thrashing the Auckland Blues 52-15 in the semi-finals. New Zealand lock Sam Whitelock has returned from an Achilles tendon injury.

“He’s played about 1,000 first-class games, he’s a pretty seasoned campaigner and knows what it takes to win these sort of games,” Crusaders’ All Blacks star Will Jordan said of Whitelock’s timely return.

“When things get tight out there, just having his experience will be huge.”

Along with Robertson, Whitelock (who will play for French club Pau following the World Cup) and Richie Mo’unga (who will play for Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo) will be making their final Crusaders appearances today.

“It’s definitely a bit of motivation for us. ‘Razor’ (Robertson), Richie and Sam have been a huge part of this little era of the Crusaders,” added Jordan. “It would be nice to win for them.”

The Chiefs have only lost once this season and are aiming for their first Super Rugby title since 2013.

Sam Cane, captain of the All Blacks, will play in his 150th game for the Chiefs.

The only other change from the starting lineup that defeated the ACT Brumbies 19-6 to advance to the final is the addition of the barnstorming flanker Pita Gus Sowakula to the back row.

Samipeni Finau, a loose forward for the All Blacks, is on the bench for the first time in his career.

Head coach of the Chiefs, Clayton McMillan, has stated that his team is prepared to ruin Robertson’s sendoff.

“The Crusaders are clearly a quality side who will come here well prepared, with a lot of belief, and a legacy of turning up on the big stage,” said McMillan.

“We respect that — there’s no point denying it, but we aren’t daunted by the task at hand either.”